2023 Bonneville purchased new in March: I have 3600 miles on it now. Just this week I noticed oil on the mat after it sat still for a couple of days. If I rode it day after day there was no oil, just when it sat for several days. Tomorrow I'm taking it in to be looked at since I'm under warranty but I wondered if this is normal and if so, why? Another question is about when I inadvertently hit a bump or pothole at speed, it really sends me into the air. Is this a shock adjustment? Or a characteristic of the Bonneville? Ok, more questions. This is the first bike I've had with a chain... is it necessary to lubricate every 200 miles as the service guy recommended?
It's not normal for a modern bike to leak oil, the oem shocks on Triumph bikes aren't particularly good, 200 miles is indeed recommended so keep an eye on it
No it shouldn't leak any oil. Stock suspension is pretty basic across the bonneville range and can be harsh as you've found out. On the earlier air cooled ones it was often the first thing owners changed. Keep your chain clean and lubed, 200 miles is probably overkill but keep an eye onit and check the adjustment.
Tx. I took the bike in and the mechanic traced the oil. It was not an obvious problem to address.... some speculation is that the oil was overfilled and in the heat it has seeped out.... I'll do a long ride next couple of weeks and if it still has the issue they'll dig deeper. I have more chain lube for the trip... that's what I have to remember to do!
yes. Unfortunately because I don't have the tech manual I can't give the proper terms.... I learned from a service manager in NC who had seen the issue on a couple of bikes that there is a cable which runs through part of the engine that wicks oil and it runs down it to an electrical stator ( I think that is the name) which is plugged in around the midline behind the kick stand. I'll try and show pics of a new one and what mind looked like compared to a new one.
Lubrication of the chain these days it to ease the chain against the sprockets. The o rings keep the rollers oiled. Not like the old days of boiling the chain in a tin on top of the stove, (and you thought chip fat was risky). So generally keep an eye on it going dry. Most times its impossible to keep to 200 miles, I will often beat that in a day's riding. Pay particular attention if you have been riding in heavy rain or at prolonged speed runs on motorways etc. The chain will benefit from good clean when you do your weekend wax and shine, as it can collect sand and grime that can wear the chain, sprockets etc. My bike has a large pannier fitted so I have access to about 4 inches of chain, no centre stand and I don't carry a paddock lift, so others in the campsite (etc) get to see me rolling the bike for about 10 meters stopping and spraying, stopping and spraying, What fun!. I could fit a scott-oiler but even hidden behind the bag I don't like the look of it. Edit. Where does the oil go? but on your rear wheel. To clean it off the wheel get a rag (I collect old tee shirts and underwear) spray on WD-40 and wipe.
JJ, So, did the service technician tell you how he solved the problem?? I think I saw on Youtube or maybe this forum that there was identification of the electrical cable responsible for this leak and a quick solution sealing the cable where it comes out of the stator. I'm really reaching here; but, I think the mechanic used silicone sealant at that exit point since the factory rubber seal was absent or failing. Update: found this by googling Triumph Bonneville oil leaks but still haven't found the one I originally saw but found this one instead - https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/oil-leak-problem.14839/ and it had this: 'I had similar symptoms on mine after 600 miles. Dealer said leak was coming from where alternator cable exited the case through a grommet. They reckoned the cable sleeve (and/or grommet?) were split due to bad assembly and as there is an oil channel running by it, oil was leaking out. (Oil channel next to cable exit seems like a bad design to me.)' In the original article I found, tech used silicon sealant at the grommet; otherwise cracking the case to replace the grommit would have been costly.
Thank you! When I pick up the bike I will find out what the mechanic did. (Fortunately it is still under warranty.) There is always the issue about trying to tell them their job but he is a decent guy and I think would be open to hearing this.
thank you. I have been struggling with the oil on rear wheel issue. Did you say weekend wax and shine? I didn't see that in the owners book.... Guess that is why the dealer tells me my bike is dirty. I love the bike ...
Chain lubing intervals is largely dependent on wet weather miles. A 10m motorway or fast A road run in rain will have the side plates rusting in a day or two. As has been said, the O rings protect the pins and roller internal surfaces but rusty side plates will eventually knacker the O rings. Regular lubing protects the plates, sprockets and O rings. I swear by auto chain oilers on my road bikes and use gearbox oil. Fling off is minimal when correctly adjusted and washes off with hot soapy water. Besides, a bit of oil on the rims helps prevent corrosion of the spokes and nipples especially in Winter.
As @Pegscraper states above, fit an auto lube system. When setup properly it’s a headache well avoided. I’ve just fitted a Scottoiler to my 1050 Tiger (having done the NC500 and deciding its staying). It was the first mod I made to my 2016 Fireblade, having taken it from the previous Fireblade I’d fitted it to and the one I fitted to my 2005 650 Daytona I’m pleased to report is still going strong (having sold the bike to my mate 6 years ago).
I have a ChainTec system I bought decades ago and retro fitted it to every road bike I've had since. It's currently on the ZZR. They went out of business some time in the 90's IIRC. I scratch built one for the Street Scrambler for around £20. The hardest part of fitting one to many bikes it finding a suitable place for the oil reservoir. Auto oilers take a lot of the faff out of chain maintenance. Just keep the reservoir topped up and wipe the chain down once in a while.
Looks like something you would get from Anne Summers. Still not carrying it around on touring. Perhaps useful at home, but I have a paddock stand.
Jammin Jones Welcome to the family glad you got the leak fixed. As for the chain i use a heavy hypoid gear oil and toothbrush. Less splash and lasts longer. Or you could have the dealer fit a Schott oiler and you don't have to mess around to much. Do let us have a picture of the bike. Joe
